Roll over protection system

ABSTRACT

A support frame assembly configured to strengthen an upper frame portion of a frame of a vehicle, comprising a first frame member having a first end and a second end, and a second frame member having a first end and a second end, wherein both the first ends of the first and second frame members are configured to couple to a front half of the frame and the second ends of the first and second frame members are configured to couple to the front half of the frame to strengthen the upper frame portion, at least one of the first and second ends of each of the first and second frame members including at least one mechanically coupled joint configured for coupling each of the first and second frame members to the front half of the frame.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to off-road vehicles includingside-by-side vehicles or utility vehicles (“UTVs”), specifically toupper frame portions of these off-road vehicles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Generally, UTVs or off-road side-by-side vehicles are used to carry oneor more passengers and a small amount of cargo over a variety ofterrains. Due to the terrain often traveled when using UTVs, the frameof the vehicle is susceptible to damage. Thus, a need exists for a framedesign that is capable of further protecting the frame as well as othercomponents of the vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment of the disclosure, a vehicle comprises a plurality ofground-engaging members, and a frame assembly extending longitudinallybetween a front portion and a rear portion, the frame assembly having anupper frame portion, a lower frame portion, and a support frameassembly, the support frame assembly being separable from the upperframe portion and the lower frame portion and configured to reinforcethe upper frame portion, wherein the support frame assembly includes atleast one mechanically coupled joint between the support frame and aremainder of the frame.

In another embodiment of the disclosure, a support frame assemblyconfigured to strengthen an upper frame portion of a frame of a vehiclecomprises a first frame member having a first end and a second end, anda second frame member having a first end and a second end, wherein boththe first ends of the first and second frame members are configured tocouple to a front half of the frame and the second ends of the first andsecond frame members are configured to couple to the front half of theframe to strengthen the upper frame portion, at least one of the firstand second ends of each of the first and second frame members includingat least one mechanically coupled joint configured for coupling each ofthe first and second frame members to the front half of the frame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a front left perspective view of a vehicle of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 2 shows a right rear perspective view of the vehicle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a left side elevational view of the vehicle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows a right side elevational view of the vehicle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 shows a front left perspective view of a frame of the presentdisclosure including a simplified depiction of a first embodiment of asupport frame assembly of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 shows a side elevational view of the frame of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 shows a detailed and enlarged front left perspective view of thefirst embodiment of the support frame assembly of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 shows a further enlarged front left perspective view of thesupport frame assembly of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged rear left perspective view of the support frameassembly of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 shows an enlarged front left perspective view of a secondembodiment of a support frame assembly of the frame of the vehicle ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 11 shows a further enlarged front left perspective view of thesupport frame assembly of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged rear left perspective view of the support frameassembly of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 shows an enlarged front left perspective view of a thirdembodiment of a support frame assembly of the frame of the vehicle ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 14 shows a further enlarged front left perspective view of thesupport frame assembly of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15A is an enlarged rear left perspective view of the support frameassembly of FIG. 14;

FIG. 15B shows an exploded view of the fourth embodiment of the supportframe assembly of FIG. 15A;

FIG. 16 shows an enlarged front left perspective view of a fourthembodiment of a support frame assembly of the frame of the vehicle ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 17 shows a further enlarged front left perspective view of thesupport frame assembly of FIG. 16; and

FIG. 18 is an enlarged rear left perspective view of the support frameassembly of FIG. 17.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

With reference first to FIGS. 1-4, the vehicle of the present inventionwill be described. As shown, the vehicle is generally depicted asreference number 2 which includes front ground engaging members 4 andrear ground engaging members 6. Front ground engaging members 4 arecomprised of rims 8 and tires 10, and rear ground engaging members 6 arecomprised of rims 14 and tires 16. Ground engaging members 4 and 6support a vehicle frame, which is shown generally at 20, through frontand rear suspension assemblies 40 and 42, respectively. Vehicle frame 20supports a seating area 22 comprised of a driver's seat 24 and a frontpassenger seat 26. In various embodiments, seating area 22 may alsoinclude one or more rear passenger seats 28 positioned rearward ofdriver's seat 24 and front passenger seat 26. As best shown in FIG. 2,vehicle 2 further includes a steering assembly for steering front groundengaging members 4 whereby the steering assembly includes a steeringwheel 34.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, frame 20 of vehicle 2 is comprised of anupper frame portion or cab frame 30 that generally extends over theseating area 22 and a lower frame portion 32 positioned below andsupporting cab frame 30. Frame 20 is configured to support various bodypanels 35 (FIGS. 1-4).

Cab frame 30 of frame 20 will now be described in further detail. Cabframe 30 generally includes a pair of longitudinal frame members 36extending from a front 38 of frame 20 to a rear 41 of frame 20, aplurality of laterally-extending frame members 43 coupled betweenlongitudinal frame members 36, a pair of downwardly-extending framemembers 44 extending from each of longitudinal frame member 36 andcoupling cab frame 30 to lower frame portion 32, and a rear frame member46 (illustratively having an L-shape) coupled to one of each of thelongitudinal frame members 36 and of the rearward downwardly-extendingframe members 44 for coupling cab frame 30 to lower frame portion 32.Downwardly-extending frame member 44 includes a first or forward member45 and a second or rearward member 47, where first member 45 ispositioned forward of second member 47.

With reference still to FIGS. 5 and 6, lower frame portion 32 will bedescribed in further detail. Lower frame portion 32 generally includes apair of inner longitudinal frame members 50, a pair of outerlongitudinal frame members 52, a pair of front upwardly-extending framemembers 54, a pair of middle upwardly-extending frame members 56, a pairof rear upwardly-extending frame members 58, a front U-shaped framemember 60 and a front laterally-extending frame member 62 coupled tofront upwardly-extending frame members 54. Rear ends 64 of outerlongitudinal frame members 52 each include an upwardly-extending portion66, which are coupled together by a rear laterally-extending framemember 68. In various embodiments, lower frame portion 32 furtherincludes a rear frame member 70 coupled between rear laterally-extendingframe member 68 and rear upwardly-extending frame members 58. In oneembodiment, rear frame member 70 may have an upside-down or reverse “S”shape in that rear frame member 70 includes a first bent or curvedportion and a second bent or curved portion. In various embodiments,front, middle, and rear upwardly-extending frame members 54, 56, and 58are angled relative to vertical. In one embodiment, frontupwardly-extending frame members 54 are angled forwardly relative tovertical, while middle and rear upwardly-extending frame members 56 and58 are angled rearwardly relative to vertical.

Lower frame portion 32 is coupled to cab frame 30 via U-shaped framemember 60, where U-shaped frame member 60 is coupled to longitudinalframe member 36 at front ends 72. Additionally, middleupwardly-extending frame members 56 of lower frame portion 32 arecoupled to first member 45 of downwardly-extending frame members 44 ofcab frame 30. Lower frame portion 32 is also coupled to cab frame 30with laterally-extending frame member 68 of lower frame portion 32 beingcoupled to second member 47 of downwardly-extending frame members 44.Further, lower frame portion 32 is coupled to cab frame 30 when rearframe member 70 of lower frame portion 32 is coupled to rear framemember 46 of cab frame 30.

Referring now to FIGS. 5-18, frame 20 further includes a support sectionor frame assembly 80 configured to couple cab frame 30 to lower frameportion 32 and, more particularly, is coupled between longitudinal framemembers 36 of cab frame 30 and front upwardly-extending frame members 54of lower frame portion 32 to provide additional support to cab frame 30and strengthen cab frame 30 if a force is applied to cab frame 30. Invarious embodiments, support section 80 is coupled to longitudinal framemembers 36 at a first position 76 spaced apart from a forwardmost extentof longitudinal frame members 36 (e.g., spaced apart from front ends 72)and is coupled to front upwardly-extending frame members 54 at a secondposition 78 spaced apart from an upwardmost extent of frontupwardly-extending frame members 54 (e.g., spaced apart from upper end79 thereof), wherein first and second positions 76 and 78 are positionedwithin a front half of vehicle 2, or in some embodiments, a front ⅓ ofvehicle 2. In various embodiments, first position 76 is alonglongitudinal frame member 36 at a position that is higher than andlongitudinally rearward of front end 72, and second position 78 is alongfront upwardly-extending frame members 54 at a position that is lowerthan and longitudinally rearward of upper end 79. As such, supportsection 80 is coupled to cab frame 30 and lower frame portion 32 atposition rearward of at least one point in which cab frame 30 is coupledto lower frame portion 32. Furthermore, in general, support section 80is positioned forward of seats 24, 26 and rearward of front groundengaging members 4.

With reference to FIGS. 7-9, one embodiment 80 a of support section 80is shown. Support section 80 a generally includes a first or left-sidepanel 82, a second or right-side panel 84, and a laterally-extendingframe member 86 coupled between first panel 82 and second panel 84.Laterally-extending frame member 86 generally includes a bracket 88 ateach end thereof for coupling to a protrusion 90 on an interior surfaceof each panel 82, 84 via mechanical fasteners (e.g., bolts, nuts,screws, rivets), a welding, adhesive, and/or any other couplingmechanism (illustratively a plurality of couplers 91). Protrusion 90 isopposite of an indentation 92 on an exterior surface of each of panels82, 84. Laterally-extending frame member 86 is generally positionedlongitudinally rearward of front laterally-extending frame member 62 andfront U-shaped frame member 60.

Each of first panel 82 and second panel 84 are coupled to longitudinalframe member 36 at a first or upper end 94 of panels 82, 84 at position76 and to front upwardly-extending frame members 54 at a second or lowerend 96 of panels 82, 84 at position 78. In this way, upper and lowerends 94, 96 of panels 82, 84 also are positioned rearward of at leastone point in which cab frame 30 is coupled to lower frame portion 32.First end 94 is mechanically coupled to longitudinal frame member 36 viamechanical fasteners (e.g., bolts, nuts, screws, rivets), a welding,adhesive, and/or any other coupling mechanism. In various embodiments,first end 94 further includes at least one bushing 95 (illustratively,three bushings 95) that extends between longitudinal frame member 36 andfirst end 94 and/or at least partially through longitudinal frame member36. Bushing(s) 95 provide spacing between longitudinal frame member 36and first end 94. In various embodiments, a washer may be positionedbetween bushing 95 and first end 94 and/or longitudinal frame member 36.Second end 96 is coupled onto front upwardly-extending frame members 54via recessed extensions 98 (FIG. 9) such that second end 96 is flushwith front upwardly-extending frame member 54. Once recessed extensions98 are positioned on frame members 54, welds, adhesives, or othercoupling mechanisms may be used to further secure panels 82, 84 to framemember 54. In various embodiments, an opening 100 extends betweenlongitudinal frame member 36, front upwardly-extending frame member 54and a forward surface 102 of panel 82/84. In one embodiment, opening 100is in the shape of a polygon.

Referring now to FIGS. 10-12, another embodiment 80 b of support section80 is shown. Support section 80 b is substantially similar to firstembodiment 80 a with like reference numbers referring to likefeatures/components. However, in the embodiment of FIGS. 10-12, panels82, 84 each include a lower or second end 96′ which, rather than hookingonto front upwardly-extending frame members 54, is instead coupled tofront upwardly-extending frame members 54 at position 78′ via a bracket104 (FIGS. 11 and 12). Bracket 104 is mechanically coupled to panel82/84 via mechanical fasteners, a welding, adhesive, and/or any othercoupling mechanism and received onto front upwardly-extending framemembers 54 similarly to second end 96 of panel 82/84 of first embodiment80 a via recessed extensions 98′. The use of bracket 104 results in agap 106 between second end 96′ of panel 82/84 and upwardly-extendingframe member 54.

With reference now to FIGS. 13-15B, yet another embodiment 80 c ofsupport section 80 is shown. Support section 80 c generally includes afirst vertical support frame member 110, a second vertical support framemember 112, and a laterally-extending support frame member 114 extendingbetween and coupled to first and second vertical support frame member110 and 112. In various embodiments, laterally-extending support framemember 114 is welded to first and second support frame members 110, 112,while in other various embodiments, laterally-extending support framemember 114 may be coupled to first and second support frame member 110,112 via mechanical fasteners (e.g., brackets, bolts, nuts, screws,rivets), adhesive, and/or any other coupling mechanism.

First and second vertical support frame members 110 and 112 extendbetween and are coupled to longitudinal frame members 36 at a first orupper end 116 and to front upwardly-extending frame members 54 at asecond or lower end 118. In general, first and second vertical supportframe members 110 and 112 are substantially linear and vertical framemembers. In various embodiments, each end 116 and 118 of first andsecond vertical support frame members 110 and 112 include a bracket 120having at least one flange 122 (illustratively, two flanges 122)configured to be positioned on either side of longitudinal frame member36 or front upwardly-extending frame member 54. Bracket 120, withflanges 122 on either side of frame member 36 or 54, is coupled to framemember 36 or 54 through mechanical coupling mechanisms (for example,with a coupler passing through flanges 122 of bracket 120 and framemember 36 or 54 creating a mechanically coupled joint, a welding betweenbracket 120 and frame member 36 or 54, or other various mechanicalcoupling mechanism).

Referring to FIGS. 14-15B, in various embodiments, bracket 120 furtherincludes at least one bushing 123 extending at least partially(illustratively, fully at end 116 and partially at end 118) throughframe member 36 or 54 and coupled or welded to an interior surface ofone or both of flanges 122. When bushing 123 fully extends through framemember 36 or 54 (as seen at end 116), bushing 123 passes through anopening 125 through frame member 36 and is substantially centeredthrough frame member 36. However, when bushing 123 partially extendsthrough frame member 36 or 54 (as seen at end 118), bushing 123 isreceived within an indentation 127 in frame member 54 and issubstantially offset from center. Once bushing 123 is received withinindentation 127, bushing 123 may be buried into a large coped weldmechanically coupling bushing 123 to frame member 54. When bracket 120is coupled to frame member 36 or 54, a space may exist between bushing123 and frame member 36 or 54 for ease of installation. In variousembodiments, a washer (not shown) may be positioned between bushing 123and one or both of flanges 122 and/or between bushing 123 and framemember 36 or 54.

In various embodiments, when first and second vertical support framemembers 110 and 112 are coupled to frame member 36 and 54, an opening124 extends between either vertical support member 110 or 112 and therespective longitudinal frame member 36 and front upwardly-extendingframe member 54 it is coupled to. In one embodiment, opening 124 is inthe shape of a triangle. Similar to first and second embodiments 80 aand 80 b, laterally-extending frame member 114 is generally positionedlongitudinally rearward of front laterally-extending frame member 62 andfront U-shaped frame member 60.

Referring now to FIGS. 16-18, a further embodiment 80 d of supportsection 80 is shown. Support section 80 d is substantially similar tothird embodiment 80 c but includes first and second vertically-extendingframe members 130, 132 which are bent or otherwise non-linear ratherthan substantially linear like first and second vertical support member110 and 112 of support section 80 c. Support section 80 d does notinclude laterally-extending frame member 114 coupling frame members 130and 132. In addition, opening 134 of support section 80 d, whileextending between either vertically-extending support member 130 or 132and the respective longitudinal frame member 36 and frontupwardly-extending frame member 54 it is coupled to, is not triangularin shape but rather in the shape of a polygon. In various embodiments, afirst end 136 of vertically-extending support members 130 and 132 iscoupled to longitudinal frame member 36 via bracket 120, while a secondend 138 of vertically-extending support member 130 and 132 is welded tofront upwardly-extending frame member 54. However, similar connectionsfor vertical support members 110 and 112 are possible as well, asdisclosed above.

While this invention has been described as having an exemplary design,the present invention may be further modified within the spirit andscope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended tocover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using itsgeneral principles. Further, this application is intended to cover suchdepartures from the present disclosure as come within known or customarypractice in the art to which this invention pertains.

1. A vehicle, comprising: a plurality of ground-engaging members; and aframe assembly extending longitudinally between a front portion and arear portion, the frame assembly having an upper frame portion, a lowerframe portion, and a support frame assembly, the support frame assemblybeing separable from the upper frame portion and the lower frame portionand configured to reinforce the upper frame portion, wherein the supportframe assembly includes at least one mechanically coupled joint betweenthe support frame and a remainder of the frame.
 2. The vehicle of claim1, wherein the support frame assembly is coupled to the upper frameportion and the lower frame portion.
 3. The vehicle of claim 1, whereinthe support frame assembly is coupled to the upper frame portion and thelower frame portion at a position that is rearward of at least onecoupling point between the upper frame portion and the lower frameportion.
 4. The vehicle of claim 2, wherein the upper frame portionincludes a pair of longitudinal frame members extending from the frontportion to the rear portion, a front U-shaped frame member couplingfront ends of the pair of longitudinal frame members together, and thesupport frame assembly being coupled to the pair of longitudinal framemembers.
 5. The vehicle of claim 4, wherein the lower frame portionincludes front upwardly-extending frame members, and the frontupwardly-extending frame members are coupled to the front U-shaped framemember.
 6. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the lower frame portionincludes a pair of longitudinal frame members and at least one pair ofupwardly-extending frame members, the at least one pair ofupwardly-extending frame members coupling the pair of longitudinal framemembers to the upper frame portion.
 7. The vehicle of claim 6, whereinthe upwardly-extending frame members are positioned in the front ⅓ ofthe vehicle.
 8. The vehicle of claim 6, wherein the support frameassembly is coupled to the at least one pair of upwardly-extending framemembers.
 9. The vehicle of claim 6, wherein an opening extends betweenone of the pair of longitudinal frame members of the upper frameportion, one of the pair of upwardly-extending frame members of thelower frame portion, and the support frame assembly.
 10. The vehicle ofclaim 6, wherein the support frame is coupled to the longitudinal framemembers of the upper frame portion at a position rearward of itsforwardmost extent, and the support frame is coupled to theupwardly-extending frame members of the lower frame portion at aposition below its upwardmost extent.
 11. The vehicle of claim 1,wherein the support frame assembly includes a first member and a secondmember.
 12. The vehicle of claim 11, wherein the support frame assemblyfurther includes a laterally-extending frame member coupled to the firstmember and the second member.
 13. The vehicle of claim 11, wherein thefirst member and the second member include a pair of panels.
 14. Thevehicle of claim 11, wherein the first member and the second memberinclude a pair of vertical frame members.
 15. The vehicle of claim 14,wherein the pair of vertical frame members each includes at least onebend.
 16. The vehicle of claim 2, wherein the at least one mechanicallycoupled joint includes a first mechanically coupled joint between thesupport frame assembly and a front half of the upper frame portion and asecond mechanically coupled joint between the support member and a fronthalf of the lower frame portion.
 17. The vehicle of claim 1, furthercomprising at least one seat coupled to the frame, the plurality ofground engaging members including front ground engaging members and rearground engaging members, wherein the support frame assembly ispositioned forward of the at least one seat and rearward of the frontground engaging members.
 18. A support frame assembly configured tostrengthen an upper frame portion of a frame of a vehicle, comprising: afirst frame member having a first end and a second end; and a secondframe member having a first end and a second end, wherein both the firstends of the first and second frame members are configured to couple to afront half of the frame and the second ends of the first and secondframe members are configured to couple to the front half of the frame tostrengthen the upper frame portion, at least one of the first and secondends of each of the first and second frame members including at leastone mechanically coupled joint configured for coupling each of the firstand second frame members to the front half of the frame.
 19. The supportframe assembly of claim 18, wherein the first and second frame membersare a pair of panels.
 20. The support frame assembly of claim 18,wherein the first and second frame members are vertically-extendingframe members.
 21. The support frame assembly of claim 20, wherein thevertically-extending frame members each includes at least one bend. 22.The support frame assembly of claim 18, further comprising alaterally-extending frame member coupling the first frame member and thesecond frame member.
 23. The support frame assembly of claim 18, whereinthe first ends of the first and second frame members are coupled to theupper frame portion of the frame and the second ends of the first andsecond frame members are coupled to a lower frame portion of the frame.24. The support frame assembly of claim 23, wherein both of the firstand second ends of each of the first and second frame members include amechanically coupled joint configured for coupling each of the first andsecond frame members to the front half of the upper frame portion andthe front half of the lower frame portion.